Why did the Central Powers lose WWI?

Three Main Causes

USA Entering vs Conditions in Germany vs Military Victories

When and why did the US enter the war?(5)

* April 2nd 1917
* Lusitania sinking(appears on propaganda) and merchant sinking
* Zimmermann Telegram → Jan. 1917, proposed alliance between G and Mexico
* Economic investment → loans couldn’t be paid back if the war dragged on
* Russia dropped out → now a clear ‘good’ and ‘bad’ side to American public

Impact of US support

* Minimal in real terms, massive in psychological terms


* German High Command estimated that 5+ million US soldiers would join

Conditions on Germany Home Front

* General: worse in Germany than in Britain
* Class divisions in Germany grew
* ‘Social contract’ broken between Germany government and people
* Blockade massive issue
* Revolution!! Kiel mutiny 3rd November 1918, Soviet formation
* Republic replaced monarchy 9th November, Kaiser fled to NL

Impacts of Military Victories(7)

* Tanks → Mark IV + V were crucial for the British, Germany didn’t produce many
* Italians → decisive victory over AH Oct. 1918 at Vittorio Veneto(joined 1915)
* United Allied Command → Marshal Foch given command of Entente forces, significant
* Canadians → significant victory at Vimy Ridge with Entente against Germany, Apr. 9th 1917
* Trench warfare technique → ‘creeping barrage’ revolutionises tactics
* Entente artillery → initially inferior to Germany(Krupp) guns, evolved by 1918, some argue that it had impact
* British Blockade → Royal Navy prevented trade, ships with resources, German starvation by 1917
* Battle of Amiens, Aug. 8th 1918, ‘Black Day’ for German army

Historian Opinions

Gary Sheffield → attrition that had eroded the will of the German population, civil and military to fight on, coincided with series of military defeats on the Western Front. A similar process had eliminated Germany's allies. Britain, France and their allies had both outlasted and outfought the central powers.

Graham Darby → Central Powers didn’t account for alliances, once the war became one of attrition, numbers and resources would count; and the Central Powers did not have the numbers and the resources

Carr → ‘crucial psychological shift’ of German people to begin blaming elites for issues over SPD